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“I don't need anyhar to 'treat me' one way or another.  Things were fine before.  I've lost Thiede, my guide.  He was effectively murdered.  And I should be happy about this?”
     
                “Thiede isn't dead.  You know it.  The changes were needed.”
     
                “Thanks, Vel.  You're so supportive.”
     
                Velaxis shrugged.  “In your position, I'd be making the most of it.  I'd be doing more to shape things to my liking.”
     
                “Meaning?”
     
                “Whatever has been said of Calanthe, our esteemed new Tigron, and however dreadful he may really be, one thing is obvious: he feels guilty about you.  To my eyes, that speaks of advantage.”
     
                “He doesn't feel guilty about me.  Why should he?”
     
                Velaxis tilted his head to one side.  “You don't need me to spell it out.  He comes here every day, just to check you're not cutting your own throat or scheming his annihilation.  He doesn't come here for the cuisine, Rue.  Haven't you ever asked yourself why he visits you so often?  You're never anything but frosty.  Think about it.”
     
                Caeru stretched in his chair.  “He comes here, I think, because he is confused about Pellaz.  He has been reunited with the har he has loved for many years, but now he finds that our sweet Pell is not the same.  He's nothing like the har Cal fell in love with, and perhaps if he were honest, Cal might admit he's been chasing a dream.  Now, he's in trapped in it.  That's confusing.  So, he comes here to study me, to see if he can learn anything about how to handle the situation.  That's all.  I won't help him.  He can lie on this bed of thorns he's made for himself.”
     
                “What can you teach him about Pell?  The pair of you have barely spoken for years.”
     
                “Maybe I could teach him how to survive Immanion and the Gelaming.  But I won't.”
     
                Velaxis put down his empty wine glass.  “Then you are stupid.”
     
                “Why say that?  You know I'm not, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here.  Say what you mean.”
     
                “If I were you,” said Velaxis, drawing a circle in a puddle of spilled wine on the table, “I would consider getting closer to this new, second Tigron that we have.  Pellaz is unassailable, but Cal is not.  He's vulnerable, raw and unsure of himself.  Hara are divided over whether he is a good or a bad force.  He needs allies, as you need allies.  Swallow your pride and give him what he wants: on your terms.”
     
                “He'd never go against Pell.”
     
                “I'm not suggesting he should, or even that you should encourage that.  All I'm saying is that Pellaz shouldn't be allowed to have Cal all to himself, because if you don't do anything that's what will happen.  At one time, Cal was the dominant force in their partnership.  He was the one who brought Pell into the Wraeththu fold and then initiated him into the ways of aruna.  But, whatever romantic memories he clings to, he has no power over Pell now.  He'll end up being a cat's paw, like most of Pell's close friends.  I think it's about time our esteemed first Tigron woke up to reality.  He's treated you abysmally since the day you came here.”
     
                “Well, I shouldn't have come...”
     
                “Oh, don't start that again!  I can't bear it when you try to have a conscience.  Tell me you don't like having this fabulous home and all the land Thiede gave you.  And don't pretend you're all grief-stricken about Thiede's disappearance.  You're not.  You're famous in your own right.  Tell me you don't like hara virtually dropping to their knees in the street when they catch sight of you.